Today, the Press Journal published a letter to the editor from IRNA vice chairman, John Higgs, addressing Wilson’s accusations.  Without naming Wilson directly, Higgs referred to “irresponsible individuals,” who have adopted Nazi propagandist, Herman Goebbels’, creed that “if you tell a big lie often enough some will believe it.”

Because I have spoken at length with Higgs and other IRNA leaders about the sale, I have known all along that Wilson’s accusations against the group, and against George Christopher specifically, are untrue – just more of Wilson’s fiction served up as truth.  In fact, while acknowledging the challenges the City faces in meeting its contractual obligations to the FMPA, Christopher has repeatedly underscored the importance of finding a way to conclude the sale.

Wilson should retract his accusations against the IRNA and Christopher, and he should do so at the next City Council meeting.  If he continues to malign an individual who has done much for our community, it will be still further evidence that Wilson is far more interested in staging political theatre than he is in respecting the truth.

Below is the full text of Higgs’ letter to the editor published in the Press Journal.

John Higgs, Vero Beach

Herman Goebbels said if you tell a big lie often enough some will believe it. The same tactic is being used today by irresponsible individuals who once again assert that the Indian River Neighborhood Association opposes the sale of Vero electric.

The IRNA has never opposed the sale and does not now oppose it or any variant thereof. Furthermore, no person in a leadership position at the IRNA has taken any action of any type to oppose or otherwise hinder a sale.

The rumors and statements to the contrary have been denied repeatedly. In a denial published in the Press Journal Oct. 22, 2011, I said that the rumors are untrue, that “the electric utility plant on the river is an embarrassing eyesore, is only marginally used and needs tens of millions of dollars to modernize; and the utility rate structure unfairly burdens county residents ”

In a recent informal straw poll, our executive committee voted unanimously in favor of a sale.

The leadership of IRNA hopes that the proposed sale or variant thereof that makes sense can be put together (although the odds of this happening do not look promising) for the sake of all ratepayers, both in and outside the city. Continued assertions that the IRNA opposes the sale are false.

The mission of the IRNA is to preserve the wonderful way life we enjoy in all parts of Indian River County and to prevent excessive and poorly planned growth and development.

Our organization is now celebrating its 10th anniversary and we have made many positive contributions to our communities. The IRNA has constantly refrained from taking positions on nongrowth issues. Nothing has changed.

John Higgs is vice chairman of the Indian River Neighborhood Association.